Weekend Roundup: 25 Things To Do This Weekend in the High Country; Check ‘em Out & Make Plans: June 15 to 17

Published Friday, June 15, 2012 at 10:22 am

Compiled by Rebecca Gitlen

June 15, 2012. The High Country has so many wonderful events to offer its community and visitors. Check our site every Friday for something new and exciting to look forward to while you’re watching the hour hand crawl to 5 o’clock. Find live music down the street, explore a nearby town’s local secrets or try out a new square dancing class. There’s always something fun to do in the High Country.

Live Music

Music on the Lawn: The Harris Brothers

Come out and start off your weekend with The Harris Brothers, a crowd favorite so be sure to come early to claim your spot on the lawn for a wonderful evening of music and fun.

This weeks performers are the Kruger Brothers and Charles Welch. The event will celebrate Doc Watson’s life and music. Every Friday during the series, everyone is invited to bring a chair or blanket to enjoy the concerts on the front lawn of the Jones House Community Center for free.

The “Music in the Valle” Concert Series starts in June and continues each Friday evening through August at The Valle Crucis Community Park. Admission is free; bring a chair or a blanket and family & friends.

The Lodge Espresso Bar and Eatery is a friendly coffee-house atmosphere with a smoothie bar, fresh bakery and gourmet food, serving, delicous salads, seared Tuna, pizzas, pastas and wraps. Keith Stroud will play on the patio.

Clyde “Pop” Ferguson is one of the last practitioners of traditional blues in the North Carolina foothills. The son of a guitar-playing Holiness preacher, Clyde was steeped in the music of the African American community of North Wilkesboro.

The race weekends at Beech Mountain will feature dual slalom and downhill events, highlighting dual slalom on Saturdays and downhill on Sundays. June 16-17 will serve as a qualifying race for the 2012 USA Cycling Mountain Bike Gravity National Championships.

Grandfather Mountain staff naturalists can’t wait to share their excitement for the showy rose-lavender blossoms. Join them for the “Remarkable Rhododendron Ramble” and participate in special programs, guided walks and activities that celebrate this herald of summer.

June 1947 saw the first of the Rhododendron Festivals, conceived and carried out by the Roan Mountain Citizens Club as a two-day celebration to memorialize and perpetuate the most gorgeous display of natural beauty on the North American continent.

The “Ridgeline of Diversity” hike gives participants the full Grandfather Mountain ridgeline experience while showcasing the incredible diversity of plant and animal life present across this unique area. This guided hike provides participants with a full panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. Hikers travel 2.4 miles while navigating over and around large boulders, climbing ladders and gaining 700 feet in elevation. This all-day hike begins at 9 a.m. Reservations required.

Come cozy up around the fire as you roast s’mores, drink cider and cocoa and sing along to the rhythm of the guitar string. Free food, beverages and music… what more can you ask for on a perfect summer night?

A 13-year-old daughter dealing with her mother’s budding romance is guaranteed to be difficult, and possessing a genius level IQ won’t change that. Moon Over The Brewery, which opens at the Blowing Rock Auditorium June 16, is a tender comedy that tells the story of extraordinarily intelligent and precocious 13-year-old Amanda as she navigates the dangerous territory of her mom’s budding romance.

When: Saturday, June 16 through June 24Where: Blowing Rock School AuditoriumMore info: 828-414-1844

Sunset Stroll on Sunset Drive

You are invited to join the art galleries, restaurants and businesses on Sunset Drive for food, drinks, friendship and summer fun.

When: Friday, June 15, 5:30 – 8 p.m.

Where: Downtown Blowing Rock

More info: 828-414-9111

Art in the Park

Art in the Park is host to 90 artisans at each show. Some of the best local and regional artists and craftspeople showcase their handcrafted jewelry, pottery, fiber, glass, photography, painting and more.

Wordkeepers features writers reading their latest works in five-minute open microphone time slots. Refreshments are provided. Writers interested in reading from their work should email Chris Arvidson at chris@chrisarvidson.com.

Come out to the Beech Mountain Arts and Crafts Fair for a great time shopping for local arts and crafts. These are unique and high quality items that you can’t find anywhere else, and it is all on beautiful Beech Mountain.

Experience 19th century history of life in Banner Elk and the High Country in the home of Samuel Henry Banner, one of Banner Elk’s original settlers. Wander back in time through the re-created household of the 1870-80s.

When: Saturday, June 16, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.Where: 170 Linville Street, between CVS and the Department of Social Services building, NewlandMore info: 828-789-9246 or 828-733-8274

Watagua County Farmers’ Market

The market has so many things to love: fresh and nutritious local foods, beautiful handmade crafts, face-to-face interactions with the farmers who grow your food, scrumptious breads, jams, jellies and cheeses made by community members, meat and eggs from local farmers and of course the friendly social atmosphere of “Boone’s Town Square.”

When: Saturday, June 16, 8 a.m. to noonWhere: Horn in the West parking lot, BooneMore info: 828-355-4918 or 828-264-3424

The Must-Attend:

Relay for Life

Because of continued support, Relay for Life is creating a world where cancer can’t claim another year of anyone’s life. Help create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

When: Friday, June 15 at 2 p.m., to Saturday, June 16, all through the nightWhere: Watauga High School Football StadiumMore info: 828-264-5240

Movies

Be sure to check out our listings for cinema showtimes and movie trailers at the Regal Boone Cinema 7 too! It’s the only place where you can see ALL the trailers and showtimes for every movie playing in Boone all on one page!